of cleveland



W. M. HORTON.

AUTOMOBILE HEADLIGHT.

APPLlcATmN FILED 11111.41, 1911.

Patented Nov. 11, 1919.

Arm/115V irs. erases. earner nemen.

WLLIAM M. HOR'ION, 0F CLEVELAND, OHIO, ASSIGNOR T THE ADAMS-BAGNALL iELECTRIC COMPANY, 0F CLEVELAND, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHI.

AUTOMOBILE-HEADLIGHT.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Fatentetl Nov. il, i919.

Application filed January 4, 1917. Serial No. 140,487.

To all y'ir/ioni 'it may conce/rn lle itlnoivn that l, ll'iLLiaM M.l-loii'roN, a citizen of' the lliiited Stat-es, residing at Cleveland,in the county of Cuyahoga and State of Ohio7 have invented lcertain newand useful liiiprovements in Automobile- Headlights, of which thefollowing is a specification.

This invention relates to headlights, a

`the reflector may have a universal movement iii its casing', and whichmeans is very simple in construction and operation and inexpensive tomanufacture. i

Another object of the invention is the provision in connection with auniversally supported reflector of electrically operative means forshifting the reflector.

Another object of' the invention is the provision of means forconnecting a pair of universally supported reflectors for simultaneousshiftable movement.

In the drawings accompanying and forniingpart of this specification,Figure l is a horizontal sectionalview of a pair o'f conventionalheadlights, such as those usually used for automobiles with thereflectors thereof connected for simultaneous movement in differentdirections; Fig. 2 is a frontview of the structure shown in Fig. B; Fig.3 is an enlarged sectional view of the electric operating means or,motor for shifting the reflectors, this view being taken on line 3 3 ofFig. Q', and looking in the direction of the arrows in said ligure; andFig. 4 is a detailed sectional view illustrating the pivotally mountedslotted tubes.

Similar characters of' reference indicate corresponding parts in theseveral figures of the drawings. i

vThe present construction is an improvement iii` part upon mycontemporaiieously pemling application.,l Serial' No. 135,321 filed'December 6th 1916. ln that case the -reflector was so supported that annp and a combination of the two within certain limits could be obtained.In the present improvement however, the slotted supporting tubes insteadof being` rigidly carried by the casing, are pivotally carried therebywith the result that a greater movement o'f the' reflector in anydirection is obtained, so that in View of the compound pivotingof thereflector a universal movement thercoic is the result.

In 'the present improvement, each headlight comprises a( casing` 2 ofany suitable design or shape, having a lens 3 attacha'ble thereto in anydesired manner. Each casing is provided with a reflector of somesuitable forni,-in the present instance the reflector of the right handlamp in Fig. l is designated as Ll, aii'dftl'ie left land reflector asl-eacli reflector carries the usual bulb or, light connected with thesource of electrical energy ni the usual manner, whereby the light ismovable with the reflector. Each reflector is provided with a pair'ofoppositely located pivot pins 6, each loosely supported by a pivot ball7, each of' which balls is movably carried in a slotted member or tube8. pivotally secured as at 40 to the inside wall of the casing. Thiscompound pivot construction permits the reflector to swing up or down onits pivot pins relatively to the balls, which support such pins and alsopermits the reflectors to be swung in a direction transverse to its upand down movement due to theinovement of the pivot pins and balls withinthe slotted tubes, and also permits the reflectors to be swung by acombination of these two movements in suoli a way that the light may loethrown into different angular positions, so that when the reflector isthrown down the glare of the lamp will be entirely prevented, while whenthrown sidewise., a better View of the road is obtained, especially whengoing around corners or curves, while when these two move,- nieiits arecombined sign posts can be read,

thus insuring greater eflicieiicy in the use of the headlights. Forswinging the reflectors up and down, or to return them totheirhorizontal position, one of' the reflectors, as

i connected by a rod 9 through the mediiiiii of a universal connectionO,-as by a ball and socket with an eccentric 1l, mount-- ed on a shaftl2, on which is secured a ratchet 'Wheel .13 adepte@ t@ he engaged by apair of arms f The opposite A accts as at lo into a slot er plu Werlil1whereby on' the of the core baci: and torth the nl be operated to rotatethe ratchet it beine' maintained in operative enent with such ratchetwheel by a lll secured to a bracket Zbfasteucd to r ol the casing` il.This bracket snplie several parts of the motor mecha- The spring` Si isin position to i plunger 18 to its wasn or l'zacltward by the magnet:'Zl, .rich carried by the bracket adjacent to c core or plunger. Theratchet wheel is maintained against.slippingbackward by a suitablespring' pawl 19, also carried by the bracket 20. The core 18 has a.contact memq ber at vforward end in position to make contact with asimilar contact ine iber :7.3 carried by a springV member supported on arigidly upstanding member insulated 'from the `bracltet 20. Thespringjlll is in position to always return the core or plunger 17 totorwarrd position to make contact with the armature or spring' contactmember Qla'fter such core 18 has been drawn to the rear or backward bythe magnet, ln other words, the springl 19 acts through the pawl ll to-return the core or plunger into position to malte contact after suchcontact is broken the clectroanaejnet means, so that t" snisir. out inoperation tous inane and break ben `ions 'of the core l? and nus rotatethe ratchet f through the with w i ry or downwardly to the de# tent, therellector at this time swing'- pirot pins relatively to the balls. willof course be understood that the necil' ons and electrical connectionsto describe herein are provided i oper operation of the electro- .frfurther detail descripand the trical co necnnnecessary herein 'in r ycontempo sii'ed ing on its lt The two reeetors are connecting rod 26shown as `ir of rods coupled together :27, each inem-ber otl the pair g;im v.rally connected with an ear or lug :ecured to the reflect-or. Therod 26 eX- Lhronrh enlarged or slotted openings the lanip carvings, sothat when the 'fte-d up down the com i L'l' 'will more therewt 5G isplaced in the p np aan t;

yard position when it has been drawn sary-rae setting of the motor justdescribed, and Van eccentric 3l which is similar to the eccentric llhereinbetore referred to, is therefore located at right angles to theeccentric ll, it being' likewise suitably connected by links 32 with theconnecting' rod jfl connecting the two reflectors. or a sleeve 2Gthereof, whereby on the operation ot the motor in a similar manner tothe motor 30 hereinbel'ore described, the reflector -l will be shiftedat right angles to its up and flown movement due to the shifting ol theballs in the tubular members or raccways, one in one direction and theother in the opposite direction, that is, one forwardly and the otherrearwardly, and consequently through the connectiingrod 26 the companionreflector l. will also be shifted in a similar manner. To insure theproper parallel movement ot' thereectors, they are also connected by aconnecting rod 33, comprising` a pair of members coupled together by acoupling member 8l, one of the rod members as 35 being linked by a pairof links 36 to one of the reflectors shown herein as the reflector l.This rod 33 eX- tends through enlarged openings or slots 37 in the twocasings. The linkage connection 36 provides the proper flexibleconnection between the two reflect-ors to permit proper' movementthereof when shifted, while the universal connect-ion or some similarflexible connection l0 provides the necessary connection to permitmovement ot the reflectors by the motor 30 in a manner which will be radily understood. Each motor will bev controlled by a proper switch andwhen the switch ot' the motor 30 is operated, both reflectors will beswung' up or down from their horizontal position in the manner desi-redand when the switch of the motor 30 is operated, both reflectors will beswung sidewise or transversely of their up and down movement. Obviouslyby operating both switches simultaneously, the reflector may be shiftedinto any desired angular position relatively to the casing by reason ofthe compound pivoting of the reflector on the easing, so that not onlyan up and down moverent and a sidewise movement of the reflector may beobtained, but alsoia universal moreinent thereof, since the reflectorisnot only shiftable by reason of its pivot G, up and down and sidewisoby reason of the ball pirot 7, but by pivotingr the slotted tubes on thecasing these can also swing so that, as stated, a universal movement ofthe reflector is made possible, since each compound pivot for eachreflector comprises a pair of rotary pivot members connected by amovable pivot member or ball. ln other words, ythcpivot pins o rotatewith relation to the balls, while the pivotal connections Jf() enablethe slotted tubes to rotate with relation to the casing, these tworotary pivotal connections are in einer couiviletl together by theSbiftable balls T. which move lengthwise ot' the slotted tubes.

lt will be understood that the various details may be more or lesschanged without departing from the spirit or scope of the presentimprovement.

Like in v companion case hereinbefore last referred to. the pawls may beoperated mechanically instead ot' electrically if preferred.

it will of course. be understood that the slotted tubes maintain theballs in propel'l position, the slots of the tubes being of suitablewidth to receive the pins (S and prevent the improper displacement ofthe balls.

It will be observed that in the present iinprovement the reflector isitself directly connected with the casing, thus doing away with allintermediate connections7 such as annular members, etc., by compoundpivotal means, thus materially simplifying the mechanism and reducing`the expense of manufacturing the same. lt will also be understood ot'course that the switches for controlling the motors can be located inany desired place, on the steering wheel or dash board of the vehicle.In practice, of course, the connecting rods between the two reflectorsmaybe located closer together and in fact may run through a suitabletube, i'f desired.

l claim as my invention:

l. The combination ofl a lamp casing, a shiftable reflector therein, apair of pivotal means for connecting the reflector with the casinej,each pivotal means comprisinga pair of rotatable pivot l devices and amember bodily movable relatively. to one of' said pivot devices forconnecting said pivot devices, and i'neans l'or shiftingthe reflector.

2. The combination of a lamp casing, a shii'table reflector therein,pivotal means for connecting the relie/tor with the casingeachcomprisinl' a pair oiC rotary pivotal means and ball pivotal meansconnecting` the saine, and means for shitting' the rellector.

The combination of a lamp casing', a shiftable reflector therein,compound pivotal means lor directlyconnecting the reflector 50,vitli.tlie casing andfcomprising a pair of pivot pins, a pair of ballsfor the reception of said pins and a pair ol' slotted members pivotallyconnected to the casing, and means for shitting said rellector.

l. rEhe coi bina'tion ot a lamp "asing, a sliiltable reflector therein,lcompound pivlor directly connectincT the rollt-:c-

1 "asing and comprising a pair ot pai of balls for the reception plusand a pair or slotted members cennccicd to the casing, and electint;said reflector.

t tion of a lamp casing', a sliiitable rciector therein, a pair otpivotal means itc-r connecting the reflector with the casing, eachcomprising a pair of rotatable pivot devices, a member bodily movablerela tively to one of said pivot devices for connecting said pivotdevices and in which bodily movable member the other pivot device isrotatable, and electrical means for shitting' the reflector,

(S. The combination of a lamp casinlr, ashiftable reflector therein,pivotal means for connecting the reflector with the casing eachcomprising a pair of rotary pivotal means and ball 4pivotal meansconnecting the same, and electri Ial means ior shifting the reflector.

T. The combination ol a lamp casing, a shiftable reflector therein,compound pivotal means for directly connecting the reflector with thecasing` and comprising a three-part pivotal structure, and means forshittingl said reflector.

8. The combination of a lamp casino, a shit'table reflector there-in,compound pivotal means for directly connecting the reflector with thecasing and comprising a threepart pivotal structure, .and electricalmeans for shifting said reflector. v

9. The combination oi a lamp casing', a shiftable reflector therein, apair of compound pivotal means for supporting the reflector relativelyvto the casing for universal movement, each compound pivotal meanscomprising: a pair of pivot members and means connecting said pivotmembers wherebytlie. reflector is supported for-universal movementrelatively to its casing', and means Jfor shifting the reflector.

l0. The combination of a lamp casing, a sliittable reflector therein, apair oi' compound pivotal means for supporting' the reflecto relativelyto the casing for universal nmvem'ent, 'each compound pivotal meanscomprising` a pair of pivot members and means connectiirg said pivotmembers, said connecting' means being supported by one of' said pivotmeu'ibers and in turn supporting the other pivot member, and electricalmeans lorsliiftinethe reflector.

ll. The combination of a lamp casing, a shiftable reflector therein,means for slipportinfi' the reflector directly on the, casing,T toruniversal movement, and electrical'means located directly between thcrear wall ot" the shiftable rctlector and the casing' for shifting thereflector.

1Q. The combination of a lamp casing, a shilitable reflector therein,means for Supporting the reflector and .:i'imprising a, pair ofoppositcly located pivot pins secured to the reilcctor, a pair of ballsin which the pivot pins rotate, slotted members pivotally secured to thecasino' For receiving' said balls, and means lor sin ing the reflector.

13. shiftable reflector therein, means for supporting the reflector andcomprising a pair The combination of a ,lamp casing, a i

of oppositely located pivot pins secured to the reflector, a pair of'balls in which the pivot pins rotate, slotted members invotalljy`secured to the casing for receivingl said balls, and electrical meansfor shifting the reflector.

1l. The combination ot' a lamp casing', a shittable reflector therein,means for suppoi-thm the reflector and comprising a pair ot' oppositelylocated pivot pins secured to the reflector, a pair of balls in whichthe pivot pins rotate, slot-ted members pivotall)v carried by the casingfor receiving said balls, and means for shifting' the reflector andcomprising a make and break electrically operative means carried by thecasirg.

15. The combination ot' a lamp casing, a shittable reflector therein,means for supportingthe reflector for universal movement, means forshitting the reflector up or down, means for shifting the reflectorsideivise, the organization being' such that the reflect-or may beshifted by a combination of these movements into various angularpositions, each of said shifting means including electrically operativemeans.

16. The conjibination of a lamp casing, a shiftablc reflector therein,means for sup` porting the reflector for universal movement, andelectrically operative means located directly between the rear Wall ofthe shiftable reflector and the casing for shifting the reflector.

17. The combination of a pair of headlight casings, a pair ofreflectors, a threepart compound pivotal means for supportin y each otthe reflectors, electrical means for operating the reflectors in onedirection, and an independent electrical means for operating thereflectors in another direction.

18. The4 combination of a. pair of headlight casings, a pair ofreflectors, a threepart compound pivotal means t'or supporting eachofthe reflectors, electrical means for operating the reflectors in onedirection, and an independent electrical means for` operating thereflectors in another direction, each of said electrical meanscomprising an electric motor.

19. The combination of a pair of' headlight casings, a pair ofreflectors, a threepart compound pivotal means for supporting each ofthe reflectors, electrical means for operating the :reflectors in onedirection and an independent electrical means for operating thereflectors in another direction,y each of said electrical meanscomprising an electric motor, one located in each casingJ and set atright angles to the other.

20. The combination of a pair of lam casings, a shiftable reflector ineach of sait casings, means for supporting each oi said reflectors foruniversal movement, means conectin the reflectors for simultaneousmovement, and means for shifting the renectors in diil'erent directionsandincluding a malte and break electrically operative means.

'121. The combination of a pair of lamp casings, a shiftable reflectorin cach of said easings, means for supporting each of said reflectorsfor universal movement, means connecting;v the reflectors forsimultaneous movement, and means for shifting the reflectors indifferent directions and including,` a make and break electricallyoperative means coinprisin a pair ot` motors.

rlhe combination of' a pair of lamp rasings, a shiftable reflector ineach of. said casings, means for supporting,- each ot said reflectorsfor universal movement. means connecting,T the reflectors torsisiialtaneous movement, and means for shit. n the reflectors indifferent directions and including a, make and break electricallyopera-tive means comprising` a pail" ot motors, one located in eachcasing.

23. The coml'iination off a pair of lamp cas-ings, a shittable reflectorin each of said 'asiugs, means for supporting each of' said reflectorsfor universal movement. means connecting` the reflectors forsimultaneous movement, and means for shit `-n the reflectors indifferent directions and lading a. make and break electrically operativemeans coniprising` a pair of n'iotors, one l ted in each casing and oneoperative t2 tt the reflectors in certain diret-tions an: e otheroperative to shift the reflector fillerent directions and located one atangles to the other.

Q4. They combination of a pa casinffs. a shiftable reflector in easinw,means 'for support-inw reflectors for universal moven connecting` thereflectors for siirmhaneous movement, and means for shifting thereflectors in different directions and iirlnding a make and breakelectricalli7 operative meansl and comprising` a pair of motors,y one oflamp if said I Said means 'located in each casing and one operative loshift the reflectors in certain directions and rthe other operative toshift the reflectors in different directions and located one at richtangles to the other and said motors being' a duplicate one ot the other,each con'iprising an electro-magnet, a shiftable core. `a pavl connectedwith the core, a ratei et wheel operated by the pawl, a spring for.

controlling the movement of the paivl in one direction, and meansconnecting the re'- flectors with the ratchet wheels.

25. The combination of a pair of lamp casin'gs, a reflector in eac-h ofsaid casings, means connecting the, reflectors for sitnnln taneousmovement, av three-part compound pivotal means for pivotally supportingeach reflector Within its casing, andI a pair of dupli electrical@vopeating means'for of lamp its casing and comprising a pair of pivots-`a pair otl pivotal balls and a pair ot' pivoted slotted members. andduplicate means for operating tlie reflectors. one organized Jforoperating tlie 'reflectors in certain directions and tlie otlier indifferent direct-ions.

28. 'flic combination of' a pair ofl lamp casings, a reflector in eacbot' said csings.

rmeans connecting tbe reflectors t'or siiniiltaneous movement. compoundpivotal means for pivotally supporting eacli reflector witliinits casingand comprising a pair ot pivots, a pair ot' pivotal balls and a pair ot'pivoted slotted members, and duplicate4 electrieally operating means foroperating tlie reflectors.

29. 'l`lie comlnnation'ot a pair ot lamp casings. a reflector supportedin eacli ot' said casings for universal movement. a. pair offmeans eacliconnecting tbe reflectors tor' simultaneous movement and insuring aparallel movement tliereot'. and means tor sliifting tbe reflectors.

30. 'llie combination ot a. pair ofl lamp casiugs. a reflector supportedin eacli of' said casings t'or universal movement, a pairA of'means`eacli connecting tlie reflectors t'or simultaneous movement andinsuring a parallel movement thereof', and electrical means forsliit'ting the reflectors.

3l. 'l`lie combination ot' a lamp Casing, a sliiftable reflectortherein, a pair of pivots carried b v tlie reflector, a pair of bodilymovable members carrying said pivots, a pair otl pivotally supportedguide-ways for said bodily movable members, and means f'or sliif'tingsaid reflector.

3;). 'l`lie combination ofI a lainpcasing, a

sbit'table reflector tlierein. .a pair ot pivots carried b v tliereflector. a pair of bodily movable members carrying said pivots, a pairot pivotally supported guide-Ways for said bodily movable members, andelectrical means t'or sliit'ting said reflector.

3?. 'l`lie combination of a pair of lainp casings. a sbiftable reflectorin eacli of said casings. pivotal means f'or connecting eacli reflectorwitli its casing and comprising a pair ot' pivots. a pair of' bodilymovil-ble members carrying said pivots and a pair of' pivotallysupported guide- 'ays for said bodily movable members. means t'orconnecting tbe, reflectors f'or simultaneous'moveiiient. and means forsliit'ting said reflectors togetlier.

2H. 'llie combination ota pair of lamp casings, a sliit'table reflectorin each otl said casings. pivotal means Jfor connecting eaeli reflector\vitli its casing and comprising a p pair ot' pivots. a pair of bodilymovable' members carrying said pivots and a pair ot' .pivotaltvsupported guideways for said Jan.. 1917.

`\ WILLIAM M. HURTON.

